How warm is the Riviera Maya in January?

Typical highs are about 80°F and the sea is about 81°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in January?

In a typical year seaweed is high in January. It is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in August and November. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is January hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?

No. Storm risk is very low in January.

How crowded is the Riviera Maya in January?

Typically very busy, around New Year holiday and MLK weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

The Riviera Maya in January

January is one of the best months to visit the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades B-, the 1st best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 80°F, water around 81°F and about a 44% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in January. Beaches are typically very busy (New Year holiday and MLK weekend).

Typical dayB-1st of 12 months

Highs / water80°FSea 81°F

Rain chance44%on a given day

SeaweedHightypical year

CrowdsVery busyNew Year holiday

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

The Riviera Maya month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

December: C- · January: B- · February: C+. The best months are usually January, February and March, and the weakest are August and September.

Best beaches in the Riviera Maya in January

Resorts with the best typical January, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical Jan	Seaweed	This week
Wyndham Alltra Riviera Maya	B	High	SatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedC-
The Reef Coco Beach	B	High	SatFSunD-MonC-TueDWedD+
Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort	B	Moderate	SatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedD
Hip Hotel Tulum	B	High	SatFSunD-MonDTueDWedC-
Hotel El Dorado Royale	B	High	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD-
Hotel Shibari Tulum	B	High	SatFSunDMonD-TueD-WedD
Marina El Cid Resort	B	Moderate	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Now Jade Resort	B	Moderate	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Better beach options in January

Elsewhere in Mexico, Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and the Yucatán Gulf Coast (A) usually grade higher in January. Further afield: Maui (A-), the Big Island (A-) and Oʻahu (A-). Every destination in January.

Questions

Is January a good time to visit the Riviera Maya?: January is one of the best months to visit the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades B-, the 1st best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 80°F, water around 81°F and about a 44% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in January. Beaches are typically very busy (New Year holiday and MLK weekend).
How warm is the Riviera Maya in January?: Typical highs are about 80°F and the sea is about 81°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in January?: In a typical year seaweed is high in January. It is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in August and November. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is January hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?: No. Storm risk is very low in January.
How crowded is the Riviera Maya in January?: Typically very busy, around New Year holiday and MLK weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Riviera Maya: this week's forecast, beach by beach
Mexico Beach Report: this week, updated every Monday
Compare dates and beaches on the map

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 89 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.